More Albuquerque residents can now spay and neuter their pets for free.

Animal Welfare used to offer free spay and neutering to low income residents, but due to the overcrowding, moderate-income residents can now get their pets sterilized for free, too.

"We want them to know that there are 1,000 unwanted animals with us currently, and that doesn't have to be the case if people would just take the initiative and get their pets fixed," Director of Animal Welfare Barbara Bruin said.

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Bruin said the economy has likely played a roll in the increased number of abandoned pets.